BY ANGELA K. HOLT | June 21, 2023

Pleasanton school board members met on Monday, June 12, for their regular monthly meeting. After opening the meeting, they heard from Elementary Principal, Nathan Meik, who gave his monthly report.

Meik summarized summer school. He shared that the students experience both academic and extracurricular activities around themes of flying, biking, hiking, and swimming.

These themes provide students with opportunities to visit with the Life Flight Crew and their medical helicopter; learning about Biking Across Kansas culminating with a bike rodeo; learning about backpacking and hiking with Derek Brown, followed by hiking at Olathe Lake; and a scuba diving assembly with Randy and Becky Hegwald, and a final day of summer school with a swim at La Cygne pool.

Meik also shared with the board State Assessment results and Map scores, as well as current curriculum in use. He noted Amplify is meeting staff expectations but Wonders is not. 

Meik was followed by High School Principal Sara Conley, who provided her monthly report to the board. She noted that 6 staff members of the high school building leadership team would be attending Capturing Kids Hearts training through Greenbush in July.

Conley also shared summer school updates, with a total of 89 students from Pre-K through eighth in summer school. An additional six students are in credit recovery, and 12 are in ACT Prep, with two students doing accelerated course work.

Superintendent Travis Laver gave his monthly report. He stated that the board would need to look at open enrollment policies come November. 

Laver asked the board about putting in a bid for a Transit Connect van replacement from Oakes. The van is a minivan used for Special Education. The bid would be for $32,518.80. This would replace their current gold one that needs repairs of over $4,500. The board voted and approved the purchase, as long as it did not exceed $33,000.

The board discussed debt owed by families for breakfasts and lunch. Laver noted district-wide, total money owed was over $49,000. However, Laver reassured board members the meal budget was still good and they would leave prices as-is for the next school year. 

Board members approved the following: amended agenda; minutes from the previous and special meetings; payment of monthly bills; hand book and STARS course updates; for Travis Laver, Jennifer Lowe, and Don Epps to close the books for the 2022-2023 school year, with necessary expenditures and transfer; KASB Policy updates.

The board approved the following hires: Brialee Lowe as High School Cheer Coach; Jacob Crahan as Technology Director; Kyla Green as Head Junior High Cheer Coach; and Jyllian Carpenter as Assistant High School Volleyball Coach.

Board members accepted the following resignations: Kolbee McKee from baseball and Lewis Dunkeson.